Los Alamos County began operating the landfill in 1974. Municipal solid waste from the community and Los Alamos National Lab was buried in the landfill from about 1974 to 2008. In 2008, the Los Alamos County landfill was closed and the Eco Station was constructed. The Eco Station serves as a transfer station to handle the majority of the solid waste generated in Los Alamos. Solid waste is transported off the hill daily for final disposal at the Rio Rancho landfill, over 80 miles away. Mixed recycling is sent to Friedman Recycling in Albuquerque. Electronics, appliances, tires and household hazardous waste (paints, chemicals, etc.) are also sent off the hill for proper disposal. Glass is sent to BuRRT in Santa Fe, organic trimmings are chipped for mulch and then processed into compost, concrete and asphalt are crushed into millings, see our landscaping page for more information. The reuse center accepts all gently used items and is another opportunity to divert waste from the landfill. Los Alamos County encourages practices that reduce the amount of waste needing to be disposed of, such as waste prevention, recycling, and composting. If you have any questions about how municipal solid waste is managed in Los Alamos, please call the Eco Station at (505) 662-8163 or email solidwaste@lacnm.us

Environmental Services Division Mission:

Provide exceptional solid waste and sustainability services to create a better community for current and future generations.

Los Alamos County is dedicated to diverting waste and keeping it out of the landfills. For information on how we are doing please take a look at the currentResidential Sustainability Report

The Environmental Services Division provides solid waste and recycling services to Los Alamos County residents. In addition, the Environmental Sustainability Board was formed to provide public input on the County's sustainability efforts.
Request a presentation or education table

We love to partner with the community! Contact Angelica Gurule at (505) 662-8383 or Angelica.Gurule@lacnm.us if you would like a food waste prevention presentation or recycling presentation for your Los Alamos classroom, business, faith-based organization, community group, or residents. Or if you would like us to staff an educational table at your event. We can’t guarantee we’ll be able to fill all requests, but we’ll do our best! We are only able to provide education services in Los Alamos.

Los Alamos County Builds Green:

In 2006, Los Alamos County adopted Resolution 06-18 stating that all new County buildings must meet LEED Silver certification. As stated on the U.S. Green Building Council's website, LEED certified buildings focus on "improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts." LEED certified facilities are also more comfortable for workers, thereby helping to increase worker productivity and wellness.

The new Pajarito Cliffs Site and the Justice Center were completed in 2010 and followed LEED standards.

Eco Station Green Building Facts:

35% water savings through low flow fixtures

92% construction waste recycled

25% recycled content in the facility

Solar heat and hot water thanks to a grant from New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Dept.